It will be strange for the BCS's first concurrent father-son director tandem not to see each other's names on alphabetical rolls at conventions. Or to joke about being known as the other's dad, or son.

"We never took it for granted," Greg said.

Bill's contract at Texas A&M ran for another year, but he was ready to retire.

Bill joked that Greg was lobbying his parents to move to Tucson. Here, they could watch the next generation of Byrnes consider taking up the family business.

Like Greg before them, Nick and Davis are already engrossed in the lifestyle.

"The last thing you want to do is try to push them one way or another," Bill said. "But I enjoy talking with them about it."

Twenty-eight years after the first Byrne began to run an athletic department, another might not be far away.

"When you grow up around it and have an interest in it, I think it's just natural," Regina said. "Sometimes you're a product of your environment."